How to Update.exe Application Error on Windows 11

Want to resolve the update.exe application error on Windows 11 quickly?

A human-designed software or operating system with no flaws or errors is extremely rare, if not impossible. The same is true for Windows OS. Despite the Microsoft team‘s best efforts to provide a safe and secure environment, some users continue to experience problems.

One of the most troubling issues is the Update.exe application error on Windows 11.  When the error pops up, it renders the application inoperable as it cannot be opened until and unless the problem gets fixed. Some very common factors that may cause the issue include corrupted system files, outdated drivers, and malware or virus in the system.

Since it is mostly a software-related issue, you can easily resolve it on your own. We’ve covered all the different solutions for it in detail below. Simply go through the entire guide and follow the methods one by one until the update.exe application error on Windows 11 gets eliminated.

So without any delay, let’s dive straight in!

1. Run a Scan for Malware or a Virus.

Since a virus or a malware attack can cause the update.exe error, it’s best to run a scan on your PC and check whether that’s the case. Even though Windows keeps a constant eye out for such threats and scans the system on a regular basis, manually running a deep scan will be an extra precautionary measure to keep your computer safe and secure.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start by clicking on the Start Menu and type in ‘Windows Security’ in the search bar. Then, select the same from the search results. 

2. Once Windows Security opens, click on Virus & threat protection from the left pane. 

3. From the right side, click on Scan options present under the Current threats section. 

4. Now, select Microsoft Defender Offline scan and click on the Scan now button located at the bottom. 

Once the scan is complete, your computer will restart to finish scanning for any virus or malware within the system. 

2. Run a DISM and SFC Scan.

Just like any suspicious activity on your PC can be detected upon running a scan, you can also diagnose any corrupted system files by similar means. For that purpose, Windows offers utilities like DISM and SFC.

DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management must be run prior to the SFC scan. It will service Windows images used for diagnosing problems in your system. Then the SFC or System File Check will scan and repair any faulty or damaged system files.

Here’s how to go about this method:

1. Firstly, click on the Start Menu, and in the search bar on top, type in ‘Terminal’.
   
2. Next, right-click on Terminal from the left pane and select Run as administrator.

3. From the User Account Control window that appears, click on Yes to proceed.
   
4. Once the Windows Terminal window opens, copy and paste the following command and press the Enter key:

DISM/ Online/ Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth

5. The DISM command will take a few minutes to finish. 
   
6. As the command is executed, copy and paste the following command and hit the Enter key from your keyboard: 

SFC /scannow

7. The command will scan for and fix any corrupted files within your installed Windows. Once it finishes, restart your PC. 
   
   

3. Disable Windows DEP.

Data Execution Prevention or more commonly referred to as DEP, is incorporated in Microsoft systems to protect your PC from any viruses or other threats that may damage your PC. It accomplishes this by monitoring specific pages or regions of memory and restricting the execution of various programs for that part of memory.

Since programs are coded, they’re not always accurate. DEP also disallows many programs to run, although they are far from being malicious. You can go ahead and disable DEP for all programs, excluding the problematic ones. However, you can only follow this method if you have figured out the faulty apps on your PC.

To do it, follow the steps below:

1. To begin, open Settings by pressing the Win + i  keys from your keyboard. 
   
2. After that, choose System from the left sidebar. 

3. Now, from the right side, scroll down and click on About. 
   
4. From the About page, click on System protection located in the Related links section. 

5. A System Properties window will appear. Head to the Advanced tab from the top. 
   
6. Then, click on the Settings button under the Performance section. 

7. Now, from the Performance window that shows up, select the Data Execution Prevention tab from the top. 

8. Select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select and click on the Add button from the bottom. 
   
9. A File Explorer window will appear. Now, click on the faulty app from your computer’s installer drive. Once done, click on Apply and OK buttons at the bottom. 

4. Update/Install Drivers.

Since the Update.exe application error on Windows 11 can also result from outdated or missing drivers, you can resolve the issue by updating or installing new drivers. The process is very straightforward and doesn’t require much effort from your end.

Follow the steps below to install or update a drive on your computer:

1. Press the Win + i keys from your keyboard to open Settings.
   
2. From the left pane, click on Windows Update. 
   
3. Go to the right section of the screen and select Advanced options.

4. Under the Additional options section, click on Optional updates. 

5. Expand the Driver updates option and click on the box next to the drivers you wish to update or install. 
   
6. Afterward, click on the Download & install button. 

5. Restore PC With System Image Recovery.

If none of the above-explained methods proved to be useful, your last resort is to restore your computer. We recommend you do it using System Image Recovery. It is a backup technique offered by Windows Recovery Environment that will allow you to backup drives along with other important data at a given time so you can recover it later.

Below are the steps you need to follow:

1. Head to Settings by pressing the Win and i keys simultaneously from your keyboard.
    
2. From the System tab, scroll down and select Recovery. 

3. Next, click on Restart now next to the Advanced startup under the Recovery options section. 

4. As the Advanced startup screen appears, click on Troubleshoot.

5. Select Advanced options and then click on System Image Recovery from the next screen.

6. Now, choose your account from the System Image Recovery screen to continue. 

7. Enter the password you use to log in to your PC and click on the Continue button from the bottom-right. 
   
8. A Select a system image backup window will appear. Click on Use the latest available system image and choose Next. 

9. From the next screen, click on Finish. 
   
10. The backup restore process will take some time to finish. Once it does, you will see a prompt on your screen requiring you to restart your computer. Simply select the Restart button to do so. 

This concludes our guide on Update.exe application error on Windows 11. If you still have questions regarding anything mentioned in this guide, feel free to use the comments section below. We’ll try our best to assist you further. 

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